Written Answers Nos. 259-278
259. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the number and location of summer camp-based specialist services for children with complex support needs that will be established in County Tipperary for summer 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9308/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra260. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the projected cost of establishing specialist summer camp-based services for children with complex support needs in County Tipperary throughout the summer months; if such services are included in the HSE Service Plan for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9309/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra261. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if a respite centre (details supplied) in County Tipperary will receive the necessary funding to run a summer camp for children with special needs in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9310/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 259 to 261, inclusive, together.
As these questions refer to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
262. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason KOSI have not issued all pandemic bonus payments; and the date that these will be issued. [9332/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
263. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health when a community neuro-rehabilitation team will be established within CHO4 to support the needs of people with neurological conditions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9351/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
264. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of women eligible for BreastCheck screening in each county; and the number of women currently on the waiting list for same; the number waiting 0-3, 3-6, waiting 6-12, and the number waiting 12 months, in tabular form. [9352/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
265. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the reimbursement of cariban for people suffering from hyperemesis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9353/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023, funding of €32.2 million was announced for Women’s Health Initiatives in 2023.
This included dedicated funding of €1.3m for Cariban® (doxylamine/pyridoxine) to help women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of nausea during pregnancy, which is expected to affect about 1% of the pregnant population.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Good s) Act 2013. I, as the Minister for Health, have no role in these decisions.
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the formal Reimbursement list.
Only licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) can be added to the formal reimbursement list.
Cariban® is not licensed in Ireland and, therefore, cannot be added to the formal reimbursement list.
However, following the recommendations of the HSE Medicines Management Programme, reimbursement support for Cariban® was made available from 1st January 2023 under an exceptional arrangement for specific patients who meet the criteria and where Consultant Obstetrician initiated. However, women would only need to see a consultant in order to be initiated on the product, and thereafter it can be prescribed by their GP.
The relevant HSE circular regarding this arrangement for Cariban® is available at: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/pcrs/circulars/pharmacy/pharmacy-circular-001-23-cariban.pdf.
This exceptional arrangement has been put in place to ensure that those patients suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum have access to Cariban®. As of 15th February 2023, 444 women have been approved for the product.
While reimbursement support is offered on the basis of the patient’s eligibility under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), Cariban® is unlicensed and is not on the formal reimbursement list.
However, I recognise that women who may benefit from Cariban® may require access to it before their first consultation with their specialist/obstetrician, and that GPs already prescribe Cariban® without an initial prescription from a specialist. Therefore, I have asked that the HSE review the current arrangement.
There are three other products containing doxylamine/pyridoxine which are licensed in Ireland (Xonvea®, Exeltis® and Navalem®), but for which the respective market authorisation holders have not progressed with a pricing and reimbursement application to the HSE under the 2013 Act.
The HSE therefore encourages clinicians, along with the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Clinical Programme for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and other healthcare professionals, to encourage the market authorisation holders of these licensed medicinal products to progress with the formal pricing and reimbursement process in Ireland.
Finally, the HSE provides general advice on treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum at: www2.hse.ie/conditions/hyperemesis-gravidarum/treatment/.
266. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the reason for shortage in supply of a medication prescribed for HRT (details supplied); if he was aware that individuals currently have to go to Northern Ireland to get their prescriptions fulfilled for this product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9354/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOvestin (estriol) 1mg per gram Vaginal Cream is authorised to be marketed in Ireland, however the company who holds the authorisation (Aspen Pharma Trading Ltd) does not currently market this medicinal product in Ireland and has not done so for a number of years. A company cannot be compelled to market any medicinal product in Ireland.
A number of other HRT medicinal products are authorised and marketed in Ireland. In the event that the patient’s doctor wishes to prescribe Ovestin for his/her patient, Schedule 1 of the Medicinal Products (Control of Placing on the Market) Regulations includes an exemption which enables practitioners to prescribe this as an exempt medicinal product (EMP) under that practitioners direct responsibility, in order to fulfil the special needs of that specific patient. If a valid prescription is issued for an EMP in line with the above Regulations, an appropriately authorised wholesaler can source that product from another market for supply to the patient via their pharmacy in line with that prescription.
As EMPs have not been granted a marketing authorisation in Ireland by the HPRA, they would not be assessed by the HPRA for quality, safety or efficacy. If sourced in response to a bona fide unsolicited order as a licensed product from another market these medicines will have undergone an evaluation of their safety, quality, and efficacy for the granting of their marketing authorisation in that country carried out by the respective competent authority for medicines in that state.
267. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he has made a decision regarding Ireland's participation in the EU4Health Joint Action on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease; if the decision is not to participate in the joint action as a full member, if he will consider making a commitment for Ireland to become an observer member on this joint action, in order that the Government can track the benefits of the joint action with a view to future full participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9356/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department participates actively in the EU4Health Steering Group and Programme Committee, and together with its aegis bodies including the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Health Research Board (HRB), works to bring possible support measures under EU4Health to the attention of health authorities and eligible stakeholders. So far, Ireland has nominated national competent authorities (NCAs) for 16 of 21 Joint Actions (JAs) under the 2021 and 2022 EU4Health annual work programmes. NCAs have also been nominated for the two JAs that have opened so far under the 2023 work programme.
I am pleased to advise that Ireland’s application for the EU NCD Initiative - Joint Action Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease (JACARDI) was successful and Ireland is now participating in three different work packages under this action.
The aim of the JA, to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and related risk factors, both at personal and societal level, targeting or addressing the specifics of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes alongside the health determinants is aligned with Sláintecare and a number of the reforms required to deliver it. The collaboration as part of the EU’s Healthier Together initiative is a significant opportunity for Ireland to share and learn across Member States with similar burdens of cardiovascular disease.
The Report on Ireland’s National Review of Cardiac Services is imminent and will recommend the optimal configuration for cardiac services in Ireland with the reforms required to meet current and future patient need. The work packages under JACARDI that Ireland have signed up to will inform and support this Report and the objective to reduce the burden of CVDs.
268. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE will not assist with the cost of taxis for persons attending private medical appointments, even when an individual is being provided care at home by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9357/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
269. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the procedures that are in place to ensure that persons who worked in more than one qualifying employment during the relevant timeframe to receive the pandemic special recognition payment will receive the full payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9367/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
270. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on his Department and a third-party’s engagement with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the organisation’s reported efforts to withdraw monies lodged with his Department and the HSE in the 1990s; if he will provide an up-to-date figure on the amount of money currently held by his Department and the HSE from the original account from the 1990s; if he will provide a copy of the agreement referred to in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9372/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the North Eastern Health Board purchased Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in 1997. The Congregation signed a Deed of Indemnity and Charge dated 15 April 1997 with the Minister for Health and the North Eastern Health Board, pursuant to which it agreed to indemnify the State against claims “arising out of or in connection with” potential liability in respect of possible claims of alleged abuse. The Deed of Indemnity and Charge, is the agreement referred to in the newspaper report, provided by the Deputy.
The Deed provided for the establishment of a deposit account over which the Health Board and the Minister were given a first charge as security. The Fund was created by the lodgement of the sum of IR£1,600,000, by the Congregation, into an investment fund managed by a third party.
Within the deed, there are provisions which allow for the appointment of an independent expert to make a determination on a withdrawal. Such an independent expert has been appointed, and is in the process of making a determination. Given that this process in on-going, I am not in a position to provide further details at this time.
271. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made with the provision of a new health centre in Inishbofin, County Galway; the reason for the delay with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9380/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
272. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form. [9392/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available, a full response is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an alternative GP could be found for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9403/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Where a person who holds either card experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis in which the Minister has no role, and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients.
Both the ICGP and the HSE websites provide a "find a GP" facility which can assist persons in finding details of GPs in their area.
274. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an explanation for the decision to change the paediatric and outpatient care centre service situated at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, from walk-in to appointment only; if clinical evidence was consulted and considered in the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9407/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the reason the urgent care clinic for children at Connolly Hospital, open since July 2019, and designed as a walk-in clinic to treat children with emergent illness and injury as its title implies for example sprains, vomiting, minor cuts, mild asthma and so on and with the purpose of seeing 25,000 patients per year in addition to 17,000 outpatient appointments, appears set to operate on an appointment-only basis, though 'urgent' care need of a child, by its nature, cannot be foreseen; the plans his Department has to prevent or correct this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9415/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra280. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will address issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the urgent care clinic for children at Connolly Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9460/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 274, 275 and 280 together.
CHI at Connolly, which opened in July 2019, is a children’s Outpatient and Urgent Care Centre staffed by specialist paediatric team including nurses, doctors, health and social care professionals and support staff. Urgent care is for the diagnosis and treatment of injuries or illnesses requiring medical review which are not serious enough to require Emergency Department attendance or inpatient admission.
The demand for services in CHI at Connolly Urgent Care Centre has steadily increased since it opened and CHI has advised that the Urgent Care Centre is currently seeing daily attendances far beyond the planned level of service activity. This demand is putting significant pressure on the system, resulting in long waiting times, and impacting on patient experience, which is difficult for both families and staff.
To address these issues CHI, informed by clinical advice, changed the Urgent Care Centre at Connolly from a walk-in service to a same day appointment service from the 22nd of February. A digital swift queue process on the CHI at Connolly website allows families to book an appointment at short notice and there are options for parents who cannot access online services.
This approach will improve patient experience by reducing onsite waiting times for families and will also redirect attendances which are more clinically suited to primary care or an Emergency Department. CHI is currently monitoring the impact of this change across the CHI sites.
276. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that required supports and services are made available as a matter of urgency to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9417/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
277. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the policy, if any, with regard to officials in his Department and staff in agencies under the aegis of his Department, working remotely or in a hybrid manner, where possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9418/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has developed its own Blended Working Policy based on the Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service.
The policy framework can be accessed at the link below - www.gov.ie/en/publication/da010-blended-working-policy-framework-for-civil-service-organisations/
My Department’s policy was launched on the 30th of June 2022. In summary, all roles in the Department at Clerical Officer through to Secretary General grades have been deemed suitable for blended working. In line with business requirements, staff can apply for up to a maximum of 3 days per week working remotely, with the scheduling of attendance to be agreed with line managers. Line managers will consider each application on its own merits, noting that access to blended working should, as far as practical, be an option for all staff. Approval is subject to the remote work location’s compliance with Health and Safety requirements. Blended Working is not a mandatory requirement, i.e., staff who wish to work their full schedule onsite may do so.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to their workforce. Information for other agencies under the aegis of my Department is being collated and will be provided directly to the Deputy once available.
278. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if there is any current pathway for a person to claim compensation for what they believe to be illegal nursing home charges paid between 1977-1979 who have not as yet made any claim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9422/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Repayment Scheme was a statutory scheme established under the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006 to repay specified pre-2005 charges for in-patient services imposed on certain persons with full medical card eligibility in public long stay facilities, including public nursing homes. As the Scheme closed to new applications on 31 December 2007 in accordance with the provisions of the Act, no new applications can be made under the Scheme.
To date, the HSE has processed almost 35,500 claims under the Scheme and has issued repayments of approximately €453 million to over 20,300 claimants.
Wider issues in relation to historic nursing home charges are being addressed within the broader examination of matters raised in recent weeks, with the agreement that the Minister will revert to Government in three months on any further steps required.
